Kenny Ortega Comes Full Circle To Direct 'Dirty Dancing' Reboot

UPDATE:Lionsgate has now confirmed Deadline’s Dirty Dancing story. The release appears below the original story.

EARLIER EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate has set Kenny Ortega to direct Dirty Dancing, the remake of the 1987 Emile Ardolino-helmed film about a pampered young girl who summers with her upscale family at an establishment in the Catskills and falls in love with the resident dance instructor. It brings Ortega full circle, since he choreographed and came up with the grinding “dirty dancing” that made the original sleeper hit one of the most profitable independent films ever made to that point. The original, made by Vestron Pictures, cost $6 million, grossed $213.95 million worldwide, and went on to become a big video title. Unbelievably, Vestron took so long to work out a sequel (some of it was cast salary, and I recall Patrick Swayze asking $5 million and Jennifer Grey a comparable amount), that Vestron folded before the movie could be mobilized. Lionsgate first got involved when it released Artisan’s 2004 sequel, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, but it didn’t feature the same cast and it tanked. Lionsgate is starting over.

Ortega, meanwhile, went from choreographing to becoming the director of TV series (he did two episodes of a Dirty Dancing TV series) before helming two hit TV installments of High School Musical before the third film was done as a feature film. He followed with the hit Michael Jackson tribute documentary This Is It. After that, he’d been set to direct Footloose before dropping out of that project and into a movie version of the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical In The Heights, only to see the latter film get dropped by Universal.

Dirty Dancing is a high priority for Lionsgate, and this one should move quickly. Ortega is repped by Paradigm.

SANTA MONICA, CA (August 08, 2011) – LIONSGATE® (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company, is set to produce DIRTY DANCING, based on the classic 1987 film of the same name, it was announced today by Joe Drake, President of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group. The original film’s choreographer Kenny Ortega (HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Michael Jackson’s THIS IS IT), will direct. Debra Martin Chase (THE PRINCESS DIARIES, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS) and Kenny Ortega are producing. The studio is in talks with Eleanor Bergstein, the writer and co-producer of the original film, regarding her involvement in the new film in a producorial capacity. Alli Shearmur, President of Motion Picture Development and Production, is overseeing the project on behalf of Lionsgate.

The new film is a celebration of one of the most beloved movies of all time. Paying tribute to the emotional excitement of first love, the thrills and complexity of sexual awakening, the soul stirring power of dance, and the classic tale of teenage Baby’s forbidden romance with Johnny Castle, the remake will incorporate classic songs from the 1960s, hits from the original film and brand new compositions.

“Amazingly it has been almost 25 years since the original film was released, but the fans remain legion, and engaged more than ever with a brand that is special and vital to them. We believe that the timing couldn’t be better to modernize this story on the big screen, and we are proud to have Kenny Ortega at the helm.” said Drake.

Said Ortega of the project, “The opportunity to direct DIRTY DANCING is like returning home for me. Growing up in the 60’s on the dance floor helped define me as a person and as an artist. I am looking forward to assembling a great creative team and an exciting cast to bring DIRTY DANCING to the screen for a new generation. Patrick Swayze set the bar for men dancing in the movies as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire did before him. I believe everywhere you look there is evidence that the talent is out there and I can’t wait to begin the process of discovering the next breakout triple-threats.”

He continues, “I want to thank writer/producer Eleanor Bergstein for originally choosing me to choreograph “Dirty Dancing” and for her continuous support. I’m thrilled to once again be working with my friend and producing partner Debra Martin Chase. My deep appreciation to Alli Shearmur, Joe Drake, and everyone at Lionsgate for their enthusiasm to make the film and for their confidence in me to helm the project.”

“This remake of DIRTY DANCING presents an exciting opportunity to both celebrate what has made this movie so beloved and refresh and enhance it so that new audiences can claim it as their own,” said producer Chase. “I am thrilled to be working with Kenny Ortega again and with the dynamic creative team at Lionsgate.”

Filmmaker deals were negotiated by Senior Exec VP of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group Rob McEntegart, with attorney Steve Warren on behalf of Ortega, and Michael Gendler on behalf of Chase. Ortega is represented by Paradigm and McDonald/Selznick Associates.

58 Comments

Approximately one and a half minutes ago people in my office were talking about Footloose and I said, “Well at least they’ll never be dumb enough to remake Dirty Dancing.”

Jack • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

I hear they’re remaking Die Hard with Josh Hartnett.

It’s expected to be released right before Die Hard 5 comes out.

Kelly • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Why they want remake Dirty Dancing what to prove that movie is symbol of 1980s COME ON Hollyweird

Yes • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Beware agents and talent: Whoever writes this movie will have a few months to write it, and it will be so terrible that your name will live in infamy.

Think about it. These things rarely go well, and while the idea is that, “We can make 20MM on the name alone, and in foreign markets,” it will hurt all of your careers, and it is what is killing the movie business.

No innovation, no original stores, no good writing.

Why can’t anyone write a script in this town? Why can’t anyone evaluate a script. It’s more the problem of the latter than the former.

There are too many entertainment outlets all over the world, and if you produce crap product, you are choking the business.

Emily • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Again, I must educate people who say “how come no one can write a good script these days?” I work in Hollywood, and yes, I am a writer. There are MANY good and great writers in Hollywood with original ideas and have written them in scripts. NO ONE IS BUYING THEM. Idiot producers with no creativity, DO NOT want to take risks on any original material. Hundreds of writers each year win writing awards and are given jobs, NOT TO SELL THEIR GREAT SCRIPT, but instead to write a rehash of some old movie that has been done to death OR look for another comic book hero they can feature OR REMAKE a hit movie no matter how recent. Why is it that people blame the writers? BLAME THE PRODUCERS who fail to utilize the talent of writers, using them as a underpaid Xerox machine instead of tapping into their creative talents and missing the opportunity to provide people with innovative and original entertainment.

Emily • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

The only way these producers will stop this nonsense is when the money stops coming in. Unfortunately, as long as young teenagers who really have no sense in what makes a great movie, continue to pay the admission tickets, these idiot producers will continue to make drab, useless remakes. The money is the only thing that drives them. They don’t care at all what they’re putting out.

Anonymous • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

This is the second remake he’s doing isn’t he on the rejiggering of Blue Lagoon. Holding my breath on that one.

No One of Consequence • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

No really, Lionsgate, you can catch lightning in a bottle twice.

Now waiting patiently for the announcement of Ortega directing the reboot of Newsies.

oldmantime • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

does anyone know when this is supposed to shoot?

knowitall • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

WHO FUCKING CARES? This is so lame. Someone needs to put the people who thought this was a good idea in the corner.

when this hits the news, people will spontaneously combust. there are going to be some pissed off chicks…

NOOO • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Are they serious? This has gotten beyond ridiculous. Make something original. I am SO sick and tired of remakes, reboots, etc. Somebody stop the madness.

Norma • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

I agree with youe comment. Someone needs to be original. NO ONE can play the character Johnny Castle like Patrick Swayze did!

Pete swayze Asplundh • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

If there is going to be a dirty dancing remake it will have to be someone to be the star of that remake and that will be yours truly Pete Swayze Asplundh and let me clear something up for deadline Hollywood I have something to say about impersonating I don’t think of impersonating famous people is not really a real problem at all okay Sammy J he impersonates Elvis Presley on WOGL 98.1 the Elvis and friends radio show and he gets paid to do that now it comes to me I only do it for a reason a realistic reason and that would be to follow the legacy and career of Patrick Swayze and that is why I came up with the thought of the carrying his name for my purpose a realistic purpose and I’m not saying this to make it sound like you think I am impersonating I’m not I don’t usually impersonate anyone unless I have a reason and that reason is to honor and to respect the late great Patrick Swayze so anyways iambic contact Kenny Ortega somehow in some way I will contact Kenny Ortega into letting me play the lead role as Johnny Castle in the dirty dancing remake and the reason why I will be contacting Kenny Ortega and that is because that I am a dancer and actor myself just like Patrick Swayze is because I have a lot of talent just like him so the mother what he say about this dirty dancing remake that Kenny Ortega is directing I will play the lead role of Johnny Castle the dance instructor I thank you for your time

Calie • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

and who will star in it? the twilight gang of “talented” actors? This annoys me to no end.

Kevin Cleary • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Nobody puts Baby in turnaround.

LOL • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Love this post. Genius. Kudos Kevin Cleary.

Ria • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

And they complain about the movie industry dying. This is why. There is no originality in Hollywood. Can they improve the original? No – it’s an 80’s classic, still loved by millions. Will identikit, pretty, blue-eyed boy replace Patrick Swayze? No. It’s a joke.

Get some original ideas and make it worthwhile going to the cinema again. At this stage I’d rather get out my DVD’s and watch actual quality.

Lets see when we get the Grease remake rumours.

Watcher • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Please…make…it….STOP !!!

Nick • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

As if the Short Circuit remake wasnt bad enough, now this. No wonder why reality TV has taken over

Ella • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Oh come on! Once again I am rooting for a project’s failure. This is just gross!

MP • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

There isn’t a problem with originality in this town as much as there’s a problem with the decision makers at the studios and networks. They think there is an algorithm for making money on movies/tv. “If we assign W movie X budget, then add in A-list actor Y and A-list actress Z, then it will SURELY make us money.” No concern for story, character development, etc. So they make us endure their stupid decisions and ridiculous ideas on the big and small screen, because they are trying to make money–not entertain us. I realize that Hollywood is a business, but it’s a business of entertaining. There is nothing entertaining about watching the same stories with different casts — hello FOOTLOOSE i’m talking to YOU! When Americans go and watch these movies in theatres, we are encouraging this type of horrible crap.

Emily • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

You’ve hit it right on the nose! You’re exactly right!

Anonymous • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

The script is already written. Lionsgate has been screwing around with it for a few years and by all accounts its overwhelming.

Laura • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Overwhelming bad…

Rich • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

AS has been said of government, people may be getting the movie’s THEY DESERVE. 1. DON’T GO TO THE CRAPPY REMAKE’S. 2. Say,”WE want something NEW!”.

Sparky • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

So is Hollywood just digging the corpses of movies gone by, adding a coat of paint and calling it a film? Ugh.

tom • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

But this time…the music will be by Eminem…the dancers will break dance…and, the issue won’t be a Jewish princess and a common white trash boy…it will be a Muslim from Pakistan falling for some one from India of a different faith Hindu…and, it will take place not in the Catskills…but at Atlantis.

And, Charlie Sheen will be the social director at Atlantis…mostly supplying hookers for the high rollers.

Love it, Lionsgate…you have another monster hit.

More bonus for sure for you, Jon.

Jack Henderson • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

Whitney Housten will choreograph and Ryan Renolds and Olivia Wilde will star!

T-man • on Aug 8, 2011 1:58 pm

I can’t wait for the Inception reboot! It’ll be released the Christmas after Inception 3D!